W.S. 4.5 Diaz v.

IAC

FACTS: 1. Felisa Pamuti Jardin is a niece of Simona Pamuti Vda. de Santero who together with Felisa's mother Juliana
were the only legitimate children of the spouses Felipe Pamuti and Petronila Asuncion;
2. Juliana married Simon Jardin and out of their union were born Felisa Pamuti and another child who died during infancy;
3. Simona Pamuti Vda. de Santero is the widow of Pascual Santero and the mother of Pablo Santero;
4. Pablo Santero was the only legitimate son of his parents Pascual Santero and Simona Pamuti Vda. de Santero;
5. Pascual Santero died in 1970; Pablo Santero in 1973 and Simona Santero in 1976;
6. Pablo Santero, at the time of his death was survived by his mother Simona Santero and his six minor natural children to
wit: four minor children with Anselma Diaz and two minor children with Felixberta Pacursa.

IAC: Declared Felisa Pamuti-Jardin to be the sole legitimate heir to the intestate estate of the late Simona Pamuti Vda. de
Santero and this was opposed by the petitioners who are the illegitimate children of Pablo Santero.

Petitioners claim that the amendment of Articles 941 and 943 of the old Civil Code (Civil Code of Spain) by Articles 990
and 992 of the new Civil Code (Civil Code of the Philippines) constitute a substantial and not merely a formal change,
which grants illegitimate children certain successional rights. They also averred illegitimate children have the right to
represent their parents in the inheritance of their legitimate grandparents.

ISSUE: Who are the legal heirs of Simona Pamuti Vda. de Santero her niece Felisa Pamuti-Jardin or her grandchildren
(the natural children of Pablo Santero)?

RULING: Felisa Pamuti-Jardin. Articles 902, 989, and 990 clearly speak of successional rights of illegitimate children,
which rights are transmitted to their descendants upon their death. The descendants (of these illegitimate children) who may
inherit by virtue of the right of representation may be legitimate or illegitimate. In whatever manner, one should not overlook
the fact that the persons to be represented are themselves illegitimate. The three named provisions are very clear on this
matter.
The record reveals that from the commencement of this case the only parties who claimed to be the legitimate heirs of the
late Simona Pamuti Vda. de Santero are Felisa Pamuti Jardin and the six minor natural or illegitimate children of Pablo
Santero. Since petitioners herein are barred by the provisions of Article 992, the respondent Intermediate Appellate Court
did not commit any error in holding Felisa Pamuti Jardin to be the sole legitimate heir to the intestate estate of the late
Simona Pamuti Vda. de Santero.
The right of representation is not available to illegitimate descendants of legitimate children in the inheritance of a
legitimate grandparent. It may be argued, as done by petitioners, that the illegitimate descendant of a legitimate child is
entitled to represent by virtue of the provisions of Article 982, which provides that "the grandchildren and other descendants
shall inherit by right of representation." Such a conclusion is erroneous. It would allow intestate succession by an illegitimate
child to the legitimate parent of his father or mother, a situation which would set at naught the provisions of Article 992.
Article 982 is inapplicable to instant case because Article 992 prohibits absolutely a succession ab intestato between
the illegitimate child and the legitimate children and relatives of the father or mother. It may not be amiss to state that
Article 982 is the general rule and Article 992 the exception.
Article 992 of the New Civil Code provides a barrier or iron curtain in that it prohibits absolutely a succession ab intestato
between the illegitimate child and the legitimate children and relatives of the father or mother of said illegitimate child.
They may have a natural tie of blood, but this is not recognized by law for the purpose of Article 992. Between the legitimate
family and the illegitimate family there is presumed to be an intervening antagonism and incompatibility.
The term relatives, although used many times in the Code, is not defined by it. In accordance therefore with the canons of
statutory interpretation, it should be understood to have a general and inclusive scope, inasmuch as the term is a general
one. Thus, the word "relatives" is a general term and when used in a statute it embraces not only collateral relatives
but also all the kindred of the person spoken of, unless the context indicates that it was used in a more restrictive or
limited sense is not so in the case at bar. The Court concluded that until Article 992 is suppressed or at least amended
to clarify the term "relatives" there is no other alternative but to apply the law literally.